ARTHURLIE manager Sandy MacLean last night admitted he was sickened by the vile racists who abused his forward James Marks at Newtown Park.

Marks, 28, was allegedly subjected to horrible chants from a section of the Bo’ness support during Arthurlie’s 2-0 Scottish Junior Cup fifth-round replay defeat.

The Barrhead side finished the game with just nine men after defender Stephen Gallacher and midfielder John Johnston were both red-carded in the second half.

But the main talking point after the match was the torrent of racist abuse directed at former Largs Thistle ace Marks – every time he was on the ball.

When asked if he was aware of the unsavoury behaviour of the home support on Saturday, MacLean said: “Yes, I heard it and it was really disappointing.

“There’s no place for that in society, never mind football.

“It was vile, horrible and disgusting.

“I’ve not seen or heard that type of behaviour in 20 odd years.

“Bo’ness really need to look at this.”

MacLean is hoping that the racist abuse suffered by his player will be included in the referee’s report.

In addition, MacLean revealed how the Arthurlie committee will no doubt discuss the incident internally this week before deciding on a course of action that they may wish to take.

MacLean said: “Whether it’s going to be included in the referee’s report, I don’t know.

“James is a fantastic fellow, he really is.

“He’s no different from you or me.

“And to be subject to that type of behaviour, from buffoons and idiots, is beyond belief.”

The visitors started the match brightly and John McLay had a whiff of goal early on but his effort was diverted away by Scott Gibb.

At the midway point, the Newtown Park outfit came close with a chance for Ian Nimmo but his set-piece zipped wide.

At the other end, McLay saw a shot deflect behind.

Both teams went into the break still deadlocked.

In the second 45, the match was still finely poised.

However, there was controversy at the hour mark when Gallacher was dismissed for what was deemed a reckless challenge on United’s Nicky Walker.

Six minutes later, Bo’ness made their numerical advantage count when Nimmo and Walker combined and Chris Donnelly was on hand to score from close range.

After 77 minutes, United put clear daylight between themselves and the ’Lie.

Jamie Hay picked up possession from a Ricky Waddell throw-in and played in Walker to fire home number two with a volley.

After 82 minutes, Arthurlie’s day went from bad to worse when Johnston was sent packing for a second yellow card.

MacLean said afterwards: “In the first half, I thought we were on top for most of it but Bo’ness did come back into it during the latter stages.

“We created a couple of chances that on another day we might have taken.

“But the second half was the complete opposite.

“We couldn’t get out of our own half but, at one point, I thought it had 0-0 written all over it.

“Then, within the space of five minutes, we got a player sent off and Bo’ness scored.”

MacLean reckons Gallacher’s red card was the correct decision.

He said: “It was a reckless challenge, although there was a handball from Bo’ness in the build-up – a decision that we didn’t get – and Stephen was the next player in line. He had a split-second decision to make.

“But I’m really disappointed with John Johnston’s red card.

“He got involved in something he shouldn’t have.

“And when you go down to nine men, you’re really looking for a miracle because there’s not a lot you can change.

“At that stage, Bo’ness just tried to pick us off.”

MacLean issued a rallying call and added: “We have to pick ourselves up for some important games that are coming up.”